Ranil Dhammapala
Ph.D., Environmental Engineering
Hometown: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Current position:
City Engineer, Olympia, Washington
Hear Ranil talk about WSU |
Ranil Dhammapala shifted his research focus after initially arriving at Washington State University. “My goal in applying to the environmental engineering program was to gain hands-on experience designing pollutant reduction systems. But after I arrived, I realized my interest was more in the science behind the systems, so I went along that track. I’m glad I did because I was exposed to very high quality science.“
Indeed, Ranil not only learned the science, but had the
opportunity to contribute to the discipline through his
research, which focused on particulate matter and organic
constituents released into the environment as a result of
field burning--a common practice among farmers to clear
crops at the end of the season’s harvest.
Conducting such research requires valuable skills that
Ranil developed through his close interaction with
department faculty. He said, “I credit my advisor,
Candis Claiborn, with helping me learn critical thinking
skills and to manage my own research-related
affairs.”
With a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Zimbabwe, and an M.S. in atmospheric chemistry from Potchefstroom University in South Africa, this native Sri Lankan is no stranger to world travel. But he appreciated the offerings of a small town like Pullman. “My wife and I loved Pullman because of the family-friendly nature and low cost of living. It’s quite safe, and a peaceful area to live.”